November 28, 2014 (El Cajon)--Heartland Fire and Rescue is now collecting toys for those in need during the holidays. Bring your new unwrapped toy to the El Cajon fire department headquarters located at 100 E. Lexington Avenue during business hours, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and alternate Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Or, bring your toy to the live KOGO radio news broadcast of the Fire Truck/Toy Parade on Saturday, December 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Target parking lot at 250 Broadway, in El Cajon.

November 26, 2014 (Lakeside) – Lakeside River Park Conservancy invites you to join in a winter stroll on December 13th from 9 a.m. to 10:30 am. The free event will take you along a Lakeside promenade through autumn colored leaves of deciduous willow trees. Pause on a wildlife observation deck to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Among the many species of birds in this riparian habitat are crested Phainopepla feeding on mistletoe berries high up in sycamore trees.

November 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes some wild Thanksgiving happenings—form a swinging holiday party at Sycuan to a Thanksgiving feast for the beasts at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including several holiday home tours, community holiday festivals, Santa at Santee Lakes, and a Feliz Navidad celebration with mariachis and more at Jacumba Hot Springs!

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

November 24, 2014 (El Cajon)--Traditionally held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this year’s Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon was exciting. The day was lightly overcast with a slight breeze, providing a little relief from the warm midday sun.

November 21, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)--Jacumba Hot Springs closes out its centennial year on Saturday, December 6th with a Feliz Navidad celebration. The event takes place at the Highland Center, 44681 Old Highway 80 from 2-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

November 22, 2014 (Alpine) --The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29th, is a special day at the Lions Tigers and Bears ranch in Alpine. It is the day the animals celebrate with their version of a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

You’re invited to join in a special feeding visit at 10:30 a.m. to watch big cats and bears enjoy their feast. Turkey and fish donations are greatly appreciated. Click here to donate a turkey for the cats or fish for the bears in advance.

November 22, 2014 (Alpine) – You’re invited to an afternoon of yuletide fun watching animals open their Christmas presents at Lions, Tigers and Bears. The animal rescue facility hosts is annual Christmas Festival Fundraiser on Saturday, December 6th from 1-4 p.m. You can also do holiday shopping at more than 40 vendor booths, enjoy food from Descanso Junction and visit Santa Claus. (To buy tickets, click here.)

“This year we are putting out an extra special request for donated Christmas Trees that we can give to the animals on this special day. Trees are an amazing form of enrichment for the animals,” says founder Bobbi Brink. (Click here to donate a tree.)

In addition, a new bear habitat will be unveiled during the December 6th event featuring rescued bears Albert, Cherry Bomb, Teddy and Baloo.

November 22,2014 (El Cajon) – Warbirds West Air Museum invites you to bring a new, unwrapped toy and attend a pancake breakfast and open house on Saturday, December 13 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

You can view World War II aircraft and displays, see over 40 antique and classic cars, and meet Santa Claus. Families are welcome to attend. The museum is located at 1725 North Marshall Avenue in El Cajon at Gillespie Field.

November 20, 2014 (Jacumba) – The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers are hitting the trail on November 22nd to the Bankhead Springs Pictographs and Sage Winds Farm on a moderate-rated hike. If you go, you will encounter ancient Native American rock drawings, caves and morteros. Then on to visit Sage Wind Farms and climb up boulder strewn hills for a panoramic view of the mountains in the area. Organic White Sage products & tye dye clothing are available for sale.

November 19, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes events ushering in the holiday season, from a tree lighting and snow sledding in Santee to the annual Mother Goose Parade …plus we’ll have previews of some coming attractions in the next week or so, including musicals, Lemon Grove’s holiday bonfire and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Holiday Party.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

November 18, 2014 (Santee) - Ho ho ho! A free snow zone and sledding are coming to Santee on November 21st from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. during the city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony at Santee Trolley Square, located at 9884 Mission Gorge Road.

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon)--You can help a family in need during the holidays. On Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Salvation Army in El Cajon will hold a special “drive-thru food drive” at their offices located at 1011 East Main, El Cajon. The Salvation Army Drive Through Thanksgiving Food Drive rallies the San Diego East County community to contribute Thanksgiving dinners for families in need. To participate, drive to The Salvation Army El Cajon Corps to donate a frozen turkey, and/or any of the fixings, or make a cash donation.

November 15, 2014 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce will host the 16th Annual Spirit of Christmas on Saturday, December 6th, 4pm to 9pm on Maine Avenue (between Parkside and Laurel) in Lakeside. This free, fun-filled family event will include a community tree lighting, visits with Santa, vendor booths, kids’ activities, food, music and entertainment by local bands & schools. Sponsorship opportunities and booth space are available. For more information, www.lakesidechamber.org or call (619) 561-1031.

November 15, 2014 (Santee) – Santee Firefighters and Sheriff’s deputies will host their 16th annual Santee Fire Pancake Breakfast at 9130 Carlton Oaks Drive in Santee on December 6th from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation, which fulfills wishes for terminally ill children.

One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m. Festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts and feeding pomegranates to the camels.

November 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a barbecue and beer-tasting event, a star party, a health faire, a brass quintet concert, the musical Mulan, and a holiday open house! Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, such as Woodstock the Musical, Pomegranate Days at a camel farm, live music in Lemon Grove, a World of Bats program for nature-lovers, the Mother Goose Parade, and for working up an appetite for all that Thanksgiving Feasting, the Waddle and Trot 5 K run!

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

November 12, 2014 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon will host an event honoring veterans on Wednesday, November 12 at 11 a.m. at El Cajon’s Centennial Plaza, 200 Civic Center Way in El Cajon.

Commander Clark, representing the El Cajon Veterans’ Commission and American Legion Post, will be on hand, along with music performed by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego Color Guard and the Hillsdale Middle School Symphonic Band.

November 9, 2014 -- On Thursday, November 27 at 8:00 a.m. Pathways Community Church will host the 3rd Annual Waddle and Trot 5K and Fun Run. All proceeds will once again go to Santee Santas and the Santee Food Bank.

This fun family event is intended for runners and walkers of every fitness level.

November 6, 2014 (Ramona) – One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m.

The festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts such as camel’s milk soaps, and the highlight of the event, feeding pomegranates to the camels.

November 6, 2014 (San Diego County) - Help brighten the holidays for a sick child at Rady Children's Hospital. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department and Probation Department are co-hosting this year's San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive. The public is invited to join in on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 5-7 p.m. at Chick-fil-A Sports Arena, 3570 Sports Arena Boulevard.

November 4, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes the Aztecs homecoming game, a hike by the light of the moon, the musical Mulan, an acorn harvest festival and a holiday open house at Summers Past Farms. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a free concert by the Pomerado Brass Quintet and the much-anticipated East County holiday tradition, the Mother Goose Parade.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

October 31, 2014 (Alpine)– Viejas Outlets kicks off the holiday season a little earlier this year with the October 31st opening of the popular Viejas Ice Rink – the largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California.

October 30, 2014 (El Cajon)--As the sun dropped low into the horizon and darkness began to envelop the land last night, evening twilight brought out hordes of costumed people - young and old alike - competing for candy at Trunk or Treat, El Cajon’s fun-filled trick or treat Halloween festivity.

October 28, 2014 (La Mesa)—The Om Center for Spiritual Living in La Mesa is holding its second Thanksgiving Health Faire and Open House, Saturday, Nov. 15th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The La Mesa community is invited to the Center at 7232 University Ave., just east of Massachusetts. Admission is free.

October 29, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes lots of fun festive activities including an ice-skating Halloween costume party in Alpine , an art and wine festival at a Ramona castle, and the trout fishing season opener at Santee Lakes. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including an Acorn Festival and a Hike by the Light of the Moon in our mountain regions.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

October 27, 2014 (El Cajon) – Camp Bow-wow invites you and your dog to “Yappy Hour” on Thursday, October 30th from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Café, 182 East Main Street in El Cajon. The event includes “Puptinis” for four-legged friends as well as a special happy hour menu for two-legged guests. A pet costume contest will also be held.

October 26, 2014 (El Cajon)—El Cajon’s third annual Halloween festival was a hit once again. The festivities took place in downtown on Main Street, Sulzfeld Avenue and Rea Street as well as Prescott Park. The area became quickly crowded with many costumed people enjoying themselves as dusk began to settle in and the night enveloped the area in darkness.